Frederic Harrison

“ The restoration of peace and order in Ireland is now a matter for Irishmen to settle amongst themselves. It is an Irish problem to solve—not a British non possumus at all. It is untrue and unfair for foreign critics and Irish eloquence to accuse Britain of refusing Irish demands. We are only anxious to know what Ireland wants. Who speaks for Ireland? What does Ireland demand? It is farcical for Valera and his crowd to shout, "We are Ireland!" The good sense of Britons recognises that Ireland is one—must be one—can only live as one nation. ”

“ The various races, interests, religions in Ireland obstinately, violently, and with passion refuse to coalesce in any settled constitution. It is agreed that the force of the Empire shall not be used to make them coalesce. To charge us with refusing to satisfy Irishmen is calling upon British statesmen to square the circle, to make the camel pass through the eye of the needle.
All that British statesmanship can do is to take the advice of Irishmen of business and administrative experience, who stand aloof from politics, parties, and churches, men of high character and of tried patriotism. ”

“ Like so many Englishmen who have long held on to the principle of Irish nationality, I see how this infinitely complex problem has now drifted far away from the ideas of the Home Rulers of thirty and forty years ago. Reasonable Englishmen of all parties are now ready to accept any settlement of Irish problems that will not involve civil war, or abandoning the island to chaos and our enemies. Short of that, we are willing to adopt any kind of national government in which Ireland as a whole can be got to live and work in peace. ”